Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $41,110 a year ($19.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,170 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $41,110. There are 0.10 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $53,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 25th percentile | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Median | $41,110 | $19.77 |
| 75th percentile | $58,720 | $28.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Average (mean) | $53,130 | $25.54 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,425.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,712.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,581.15 |
| Weekly | $790.58 |
| Hourly | $19.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,100 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,960 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Firefighter | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,790 | $56.63 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $110,210 | $52.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $74,530 | $35.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $41,110 a year, or $19.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $103,170 a year. The top 25% earn $58,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,120 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,370 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.